Senior volunteers honored by commissioners

TIFFIN — Ariel Nearhood, program coordinator of Axess Family Services, gave an update to the Seneca County Board of Commissioners at its weekly meeting Thursday. Nearhood said Axess Family Services, part of Americorps, connects senior volunteers with the programs or organizations that need their help. Last year, Seneca County volunteers made 25 quilts for foster children, read to elementary school students, provided companionship and transportation to homebound adults among other services. "In Seneca County, we have over 80 volunteers that completed over 1300 service hours in the local community," Nearhood said. Sister Judy of St. Francis said she moved back to Tiffin in 2018 and heard about the volunteer program in the news. "So I jumped at that, I was so excited because I've been dreaming, she said. "How can I be a listener to people in the Tiffin area. So I thought, wow, here's an opportunity to go and visit people that are making adjustments." Another volunteer, also present at the meeting, said that through participation in the volunteer program, she was blessed as much as she hoped to bless others. Nearhood and the volunteers were honored with a proclamation from the board for National Volunteer Week. In other news, the board also heard from Micah Zinna of Camp Fire and Camp Glen that sits just south of Tiffin on S. TR 131. Starting May 16, Camp Glen has several camps slated for children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade including a survival skills camp, a theater camp, a science camp and a spooky fall fun camp. Both day camp and overnight options are available with prices starting at $120 for three days. Other day camp options are available at Misty Meadows in Fremont. "Our main goal right now is visibility," Zinna said, also saying Camp Glen can sleep up to 180 campers and sits on 145 acres. "We're trying to revitalize it and get the word out that we are here and open." Though Zinna reported the camp grounds were not historically utilized as much as it could have been, she also said she is working on having more campers per session and has access to some funding for those needing financial support to attend. Camp Glen also contracts with Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation to give campers rides to and from Camp Glen. More information about camp opportunities can be found at campfiresc.org. Later, Commissioner Brent Busdeker announced starting the search for a viable replacement for county director of job and family services, Kathy Oliver. "She was there for 22 years. She's not going to be the easiest person to replace," he said. County administrator Barb Patterson said the search had also begun for an IT technician. "We've narrowed it down to five candidates," she said. A second round of interviews will be scheduled shortly with representatives of an IT service provider present to ask candidates some more technical questions. Patterson later reminded the board of a celebration of 50 years of business of Clouse Construction and several wartime memorials coming to Fostoria in June. The board later approved the following supplemental appropriations: $20,000 from the general fund for unemployment expenses. $10,000 from the general fund for precinct worker salaries. $35,184.00 from the general fund for supplies. $20,000.00 from the general fund for contract services. $20,000.00 from the general fund for software licenses and services. $5,500.00 from the general fund for board member travel. $28.15 from the Wolf Creek ditch project fund for other expenses. $22,759.87 from the Crug Ditch project for advance out. $455.20 from the Crug Ditch project for other expenses. $1,000.00 from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Fund for training. The board also approved the following resolutions: Changing the boundary lines of Clinton and Hopewell Township to make them identical to the City of Tiffin. Supporting state issue two renewal of the state capital improvement program on May 6, 2025, state ballot. Authorizing a lease agreement with the Village of Bettsville effective April 1, 2025, and ending March 5, 2109. Entering into an agreement for grant application and land acquisition of parcel W on behalf of the Seneca County airport. Entering into grant application for master plan project, subject to independent fee review on behalf of the Seneca County Airport. Authorizing a fund advance repayment from the Crug Ditch to the general fund. The next Seneca County Board of Commissioners meeting is at 10 a.m. Thursday at the commissioners' office, 111 Madison St., Tiffin.